Hey guys, wondering if 18k white gold is a high enough grade for someone sensitive to nickel. Preferred over any other metals- looking to see if anyone with the allergy is able to wear 18k white gold without reactions. Thank you
Posted Jun 29, 2019, 4:44 PM UTC
I have a 9k white gold engagement ring and I had it rhodium plated to avoid allergies.
How long about does the rhodium plating last approx? Do you immediately get a reaction when it wears off?
No I don’t get an immediate reaction, my reaction is generally after I’ve been wearing something with nickel for a couple of hours and worse when it’s warm and I’ve been sweating. My jeweller suggested getting it replated every 6 months, but I last did it 9 months ago and won’t bother until I get a reaction. I’m expecting to need to soon though as it comes up to summer and gets warmer.
I love your comment thank you stranger
Thank you 😊
You can get Hypo-allegenic white gold. Ask your jeweller about palladium white gold. I'm not sure on the precise alloy, but I know that's what my local manufacturing jeweler uses. It's unplated so doesn't need to be re-dipped.
(Not to be confused with solid palladium)
*edit: sorry, I know this doesn't help. Maybe on your next piece?
Thanks everyone for the responses I guess a more specific question I have is: if 18k gold is roughly 8 percent nickel, could it be possible for the low instance of nickel to not bother someone with this allergy, or does it more often than not cause a reaction?
I have a nickel allergy and an 18k rose gold ring (not engagement ring) that I wear regularly. It’s fine 95% or the time, but it does make my finger itch at the end of the day if it gets hot out and my fingers swell. Since engagement rings are fit tighter than other rings to prevent spinning, I’d probably just go for platinum. It’s a little more expensive, but you’ll be wearing it frequently and keeping it for life so better safe than sorry. I don’t know how much redipping costs, but you won’t have to deal with that over time either.
Good to know. I’m actually devastated because the ring is already bought so.
Rose gold isn’t rhodium plated like white gold is. Just make sure you’re doing proper maintenance like you’re supposed to and you should be totally fine.
All white gold is rhodium plated. If it wasnt it would look like yellow gold. It wears differently on everyone but customers I work with often get theirs send out every 6 months or so